Cement is one of many materials that is very crucial in a construction. Cement consumption keeps on increasing every year as houses and buildings are constructed even more. However, cement has a negative impact because it has quite high carbon emissions which is not good for the environment.

Researchers from Lancaster University, UK, in collaboration with a Scottish company found that a mixture of carrots and cement can increase the strength of concrete by up to 80% and reduce carbon emissions. In their research, the scientists combined ordinary cement with nano platelets extracted from carrots. The goal is to produce products that are stronger and more environmentally friendly. In addition, this cement can also save costs compared to ordinary cement.

The researchers found that adding carrot nano platelets resulted in savings of 40kg of cement, and carbon dioxide, per cubic meter. The researchers also tried to use beets fibre in a mixture of cement and all the vegetables that came from their leftovers. In addition, further research will determine whether the existing concrete structure can be reinforced with sheets made of vegetable nanoplatelets. This carrot cement is expected to strengthen and green buildings and bridges. To date, they are doing research and looking for ways to incorporate materials that are considered good in the construction field.

 

REFERENCE
Drury, J. (2018, October 19). Carrots could be key to making greener buildings, say researchers. retrieved August 25,2020, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-environment-concrete-carrot/carrots-could-be-key-to-making-greener-building-say-researchers-idUSKCN1MT1VA